Thermal digital lithographic printing plate

A method for forming an image, the method comprising:

• (1) imaging an imageable element to form an imaged element, the imageable element comprising:
• a) a substrate, the substrate having a hydrophilic surface;
• b) an underlayer over the hydrophilic surface, the underlayer comprising a first polymeric material;
• and
• c) a top layer over the underlayer, the top layer comprising a second polymeric material;
• in which:
• the top layer is ink receptive;
• the top layer is insoluble in aqueous alkaline developer;
• the underlayer comprises a photothermal conversion material;
• the underlayer is soluble in aqueous alkaline developer;
• the second polymeric material is soluble in aqueous alkaline developer;
• and
• the second polymeric material contains phenolic hydroxyl groups;
• and
• (2) developing the imaged element with an aqueous alkaline developer to form an imaged and developed element, the imaged and developed element comprising an image.

An imaged and developed element, the element made by the method comprising:

• (1) imaging an imageable element to form an imaged element, the imageable element comprising:
• a) a substrate, the substrate having a hydrophilic surface;
• b) an underlayer over the hydrophilic surface, the underlayer comprising a first polymeric material;
• and
• c) a top layer over the underlayer, the top layer comprising a second polymeric material;
• in which:
• the top layer is ink receptive;
• the top layer is insoluble in aqueous alkaline developer;
• the underlayer comprises a photothermal conversion material;
• the underlayer is soluble in aqueous alkaline developer;
• the second polymeric material is soluble in aqueous alkaline developer;
• the second polymeric material contains phenolic hydroxyl groups;
• and
• the top layer is ink receptive
• (2) developing the imaged element with an aqueous alkaline developer to form an imaged and developed element, the imaged and developed element comprising an image.